Ministry of Sound is a flagship for British youth culture; an iconic brand that includes a club, the world’s largest independent record label, and a multimedia entertainment business, all directed from the company’s South London home.

For 18 years the beating heart of Ministry of Sound has been the Southwark venue at 103 Gaunt Street that in addition to the legendary nightclub, also houses its main offices and 200 staff (a further 300 staff are employed worldwide in offices in New York, Sydney, and Berlin). The club holds over 200 events a year, with an annual attendance in excess of 300,000.

The future of the SE1 venue has been put in doubt following a planning application by property developer Oakmayne. The company has submitted plans for a residential building on the site of the old Eileen House, which, if built, would sit opposite the Ministry of Sound building and could pose a significant threat to the club’s entertainment license. Oakmayne’s attitude towards preserving the longevity of the club is perhaps best summed up by a comment from its chairman, Christopher Allen, who when questioned gave his opinion that “nightclubs come and go”.

A leading light for regeneration in the Southwark area since 1991, Ministry of Sound has played a strong role in the local community from the start, employing local residents, providing an event space for the people of Southwark, and championing local causes.

It has housed conferences ranging from the UK’s Youth Parliament to Mothers Against Guns, Urban Mission, and many more. On 14th April Ministry of Sound will host a Crime Stoppers awareness day for local under 18’s; 25th August will see ‘Put It Down’, an anti-gun and knife crime event featuring 400 young people, live performances, and workshops.

The borough’s MP, Simon Hughes, and Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, have both visited the venue in recent times.

Ministry of Sound Group CEO Lohan Presencer said:

“When Oakmayne told us that “nightclubs come and go”, we were horrified. Ministry of Sound is not just any nightclub; it’s the most famous nightclub in the world and the heart of a global entertainment business. These developers have cut corners at every stage and counter to their claims, they do not have the best interests of the local community at heart. We must do everything in our power to save our club and our business”.

For all media enquiries please contact:
Matt Learmouth @ Alchemy PR on: 020 8996 4810/ or email matt@alchemypr.com

Editors’ Notes:

Club opened 21st September 1991

London’s (and the world’s) most successful nightclub

Grown from club in SE1 to a global brand with offices in London, New York, Berlin and Sydney

Annual turnover of £80 million

The world’s largest independent record label. Sales of over 5 million units per year (all physical product manufactured within the UK)

£7 million spend per annum on media production and advertising – all with UK production companies and media owners

Millions of clubbers attend thousands of Ministry of Sound events both in the UK across the world annually.

About Ministry of Sound Group:

Ministry of Sound Group comprises the world’s largest independent record label, the world’s most famous nightclub and is home to the world’s most recognisable and iconic dance brands including, of course, Ministry of Sound plus Hed Kandi, Global Underground, Euphoria and Dance Nation. Sales in 2008 exceeded £80 million. 200 people are employed in a giant open-plan warehouse in London and a further 300 people worldwide. Offices in Sydney, New York and Berlin are in addition to a network of international record label and event partners. They operate international venues in Egypt and Malaysia, with new venue openings scheduled across Europe and Asia in 2010/11.

While other record labels across the globe are in significant decline, Ministry of Sound has seen continual year on year revenue growth. In the UK and Australia, they are the No.1 dance compilation label both digitally and on CD, and release albums domestically across the globe via a network of label partners. Total sales for all releases average 5 million units per year, with the most successful compilation album titles each selling in excess of 500,000 units.

Online and on mobile, Ministry of Sound Group brands engage with the youth demographic of 16 to 34 year olds across a range of web, mobile, digital radio and social networking platforms. Video content alone has generated over 230 million views on YouTube within the last 18 months.

Ministry of Sound Group’s brands are the heartbeat for a generation of young clubbers and dance music fans, spanning continents and genres. Unrivalled in reach and recognition – Ministry of Sound Group truly is the global home of dance music and the world’s most successful youth music brands.